| The Swiss Army Knife is a hand tool with a | | | | approximately 3.5in long and .75in wide; |
| multitude of functions. This knife sports an | | | | smaller models are typically about 2.25in |
| array of various tools as well as a blade. | | | | long and .5in wide. Thickness varies |
| They are known for having screwdrivers, can | | | | depending on the number of tools included. A |
| openers, scissors and more each stored away | | | | flat version with somewhat fewer tools (but |
| inside their own compartment within the | | | | still retaining a knife) the size and shape |
| handle of the knife. They are exposed | | | | of a credit card known as a Swiss Card, can |
| through a pivot point action. The handle is | | | | be stored in a typical wallet. Although red |
| usually red in color with a white cross (the | | | | SAKs are most common, black, blue, white, |
| emblem of Switzerland). The model used by | | | | phosphorescent yellow, camouflage patterns, |
| the actual Swiss Army has an aluminum-plated | | | | and other colors are available. The plastic |
| handle.This knife is synonymous with the | | | | cladding is usually opaque but may be |
| pocketknife. It is often descriptive with a | | | | transparent; metal- and wood-clad models are |
| sort of tool, such as a software tool, that | | | | available.Founded in 1884, since 1891 the |
| is a family of special-purpose tools.There | | | | company has delivered knives to the Swiss |
| are various types and styles of Swiss Army | | | | Army. The famous emblem, a cross in a shield, |
| knives each with its own tool combination for | | | | has been used by Victorinox since 1909. That |
| a specific tasks. The Swiss Army's knife | | | | year, the mother of founder Karl Elsener died |
| has a corrugated metal surface with a red | | | | the name of the company changed to "Victoria" |
| emblem and adorns a blade, a reamer, a | | | | in her honor. In 1921, with the introduction |
| bottle-opener/screwdriver/wire stripper, and | | | | of "inox" (the French term for Stainless |
| a can-opener/screwdriver.The simplest model | | | | Steel) into their products, the brand and |
| sold includes a single blade. The most | | | | name of the company became the present |
| popular models typically include a | | | | Victorinox.In 2005 Victorinox acquired |
| combination of the tools included in the | | | | Wenger, the other official supplier of the |
| official army model, a second blade, | | | | Swiss Army knife. Victorinox intends to keep |
| tweezers, toothpick, corkscrew, Phillips | | | | both brands intact. |
| screwdriver, nail file and scissors. Others | | | | |
| include a saw, hook, magnifying glass, and | | | | Swiss Army knives are widely used outside |
| ballpoint pen, fish scaler that doubles as a | | | | the army. They are useful multifunctional |
| ruler, pliers/wire cutters and a key chain. | | | | instruments for everyday life and are |
| The more recent features include USB flash | | | | available in a wide variety of sizes and |
| storage, digital clock, digital altimeter, | | | | functional combinations. Even NASA Astronauts |
| LED light, laser pointer and MP3 player. | | | | have a Victorinox knife as standard |
| Whew!A brass spacer on the official Army | | | | equipment. Victorinox knives have also been |
| model allows the knife with the screwdriver | | | | taken to Mt. Everest and the Arctic. The |
| and the reamer to be extended at the same | | | | flagship model of Victorinox, the Swiss |
| time, to be used to assemble the Swiss Army | | | | Champ, is in the New York Museum of Modern |
| assault rifles (the SIG 550 and the SIG | | | | Art's Permanent Design Collection.Gregg Hall |
| 510).A standard full-size SAK is | | | | is an author living in Navarre Florida. |